MLB trade news: Mariners acquire Denard Span, Alex Colome from Rays

The Mariners have acquired outfielder Denard Span, closer Alex Colome and cash from the Rays, the team announced Friday.

Unlike some other high profile prep pitchers in the 2018 draft, Carter Stewart’s main body of work comes from his high school team. While he did play extensively on the showcase circuit during the summer of 2017, the only premiere event he participated in was the Perfect Game All-American Classic, where he threw one inning.

He did not play for Team USA in the summer of 2017 and did not play in other national events, such as the Under Armour All-American Game. This does not mean he’s not worthy or talented enough to be selected high in the first round on June 4, it simply means that Stewart has a limited track record in performing against elevated competition.

Some scouts also worry about Stewart’s mechanics, as his windup and arm action are a little jerky, and think they will need reevaluation and possible changes as a professional. There’s also concern over his current lack of a third pitch and whether or not he can develop his changeup into an offering that can get professional hitters out. If his changeup cannot progress to that point, it’s hard to imagine Stewart remains a starter, even with his nasty curveball.

New York starter Jason Vargas continued his poor start to the season. He allowed five runs in three innings pitched. His ERA ballooned to 10.62.

AJ Ramos surrendered three runs and recorded just two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Ramos, who walked in the winning run Friday, currently holds a 6.41 ERA.

Wilmer Flores went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored for the Mets. Jose Reyes drove in two runs.

Astros at Indians 1:10 p.m. ET — Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer, college teammates at UCLA, will start against each other for the first time as professionals Sunday. The matchup has taken on a weird twist given Bauer’s recent insinuations that Astros pitchers, including Cole, have been using pine tar to boost the spin rates on their pitches. Cole (5-1, 1.86 ERA) has been rejuvenated since coming over from Pittsburgh in an offseason trade, while Bauer (4-3, 2.35 ERA) is also off to a strong start.

If his career continues this way, I thought, can I make that into amazing with a little fatherly embellishment? See that guy pitching in the All-Star Game, BabyGirl? You were there for his first great big-league performance. Yep, I could make that work.